Is Dean Richards the man to revive the England set-up after their dire Six Nations performance? Or could a dream team led by Sir Clive Woodward still be appointed? Stephen Jones and Nick Cain report

In the white-hot debate surrounding England’s dismal slide down the world rankings, something that was not said last week assumed more significance than anything that was. Francis Baron, chief executive of the Rugby Football Union (RFU), pointedly refused to give assurances that Andy Robinson would be retained as supremo in charge of selection, stating only that he believed Robinson would stay on as England coach until the end of his contract in 2007. The clear implication is that England will bring in a new man.

Meanwhile, Rob Andrew, the Newcastle Falcons director of rugby, is scathing about the RFU’s handling of the issue. “The whole thing is crazy. Either you appoint Andy (Robinson) as the head man and let him get on with it, or you put someone else in charge of the whole shooting match. You cannot appoint a head selector above him. It’s a complete nonsense. For me,